Sir Erasmus Gower (3 December 1742 – 21 June 1814) naval officer and colonial governor born Cilgerran, Wales and died Hambledon, Hampshire, England. Gower joined the Royal Navy in 1755 and served under Byron's command on HMS Dolphin from 1764 to 1766. He was promoted to lieutenant, serving with distinction under Commander Philip Carteret from 1766 to 1769. He then served in the Falkland Islands, West Indies, Mediterranean, the East and Newfoundland until 1792, when he declined a baronetcy and was knighted.